Their next game, against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday, will again be overseen by an Irishman, George Clancy.

In both games so far, South African players have had players sin-binned for infringements at the breakdown, while New Zealand captain Richie McCaw has been penalised repeatedly and cautioned for infringements at the breakdown, but allowed to remain on the field.

De Villiers says his players are playing by the same rules applied in the Super 14 competition, but are being treated unfairly by referees, and the South African Rugby Union has asked its legal representative to get an explanation for what they consider refereeing inconsistency.

The Springboks have also had two players suspended after the two games of the tournament so far.

Winger Jean de Villiers was banned for two weeks for a dangerous tackle during the 31-17 loss on 17 July, and a week before that, Bakkies Botha earned a nine-week ban for a head-butt.

But Springboks vice-captain Victor Matfield said his team-mates needed to adapt to the referee's law interpretations.

"It's just doing stupid things out of our character that we have to cut out at the moment," he said.

"It's just one of many areas South Africa must improve to keep their title defence alive."

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